Life is a process and not merely a result. If we care too much about the result we are in danger of overlooking the joy of the process.
人生是一个过程,不仅仅是一个结果。如果我们过于看重结果,就会忽略了过程中的快乐。
Life is so busy and exhausting that however beautiful the passing scenery we cannot spare it a glance, so that the days drag by.
人生总是忙忙碌碌,疲于奔命,路上的景色再美,也无心瞧上一眼,日子便在索然寡味中一天天逝去。
This kind of life is like a hurried journey in which each stop passes rapidly:
这样的一生就好像在赶路,每一站都是匆匆忙忙:
When young we break our necks thinking about getting into a better school;
年轻的时候,拼了命想考上好一点的学校;
Then we long to graduate and obtain a good job;
然后,巴不得赶快毕业找一份好工作;
Then we rush to marry and raise a family;
然后,迫不及待地结婚成家,生儿育女;
Then we long for our children to grow up quickly and relieve us of a mental burden;
然后,又整天盼望小孩快点长大,好腾出精神做事;
Then when they are grown up we can’t wait to retire.
然后,小孩长大了,又恨不得赶快退休。
So it goes on and on, and when we do really retire we suddenly discover that we are old, and that when we want to rest and take a breath and enjoy life, we are already at death’s door!
就这样熬啊熬,到头来,真的退休了,才发现自己年纪已经老了,想歇下来好好喘口气,享受人生,不想死了,却偏偏快要死了!
In truth, many of life’s joys are to be found in the actual process of life.
其实,生活的很多乐趣就存在于过程中。
Viewed through the eyes of Zen, each stage of the journey is in itself an objective. This is known as “Not leaving home while on a journey.” (Record of the Sayings of Renowned Monks)
用禅的眼光来看,旅途上的每一段经历,都是目的地本身,这就叫“在途中不离家舍”。 (《古尊宿语录》)
中文大意:
人生是一个过程,不仅仅是一个结果。如果我们过于看重结果,就会忽略了过程中的快乐。
人生总是显得忙忙碌碌,疲于奔命,路上的景色再美,也无心瞧上一眼,日子便在索然寡味中一天天逝去。
这样的一生就好像在赶路,每一站都是匆匆忙忙:
年轻的时候,拼了命想考上好一点的学校;
然后,巴不得赶快毕业找一份好工作;
然后,迫不及待地结婚成家,生儿育女;
然后,又整天盼望小孩快点长大,好腾出精神做事;
然后,小孩长大了,又恨不得赶快退休。
就这样熬啊熬,到头来,真的退休了,才发现自己年纪已经老了,想歇下来好好喘口气,享受人生,不想死了,却偏偏快要死了!
其实,生活的很多乐趣就存在于过程中。用禅的眼光来看,旅途上的每一段经历,都是目的地本身,这就叫“在途中不离家舍”。 (《古尊宿语录》)
摘自: 吴言生著《CHINESE ZEN A PATH TO PEACE AND HAPPINESS》,
TONY BLISHEN 译,Better Link 出版社,纽约 )